The recollections of actors, when those recollections are reported in
good faith, constitute quite as safe a basis for an historical
judgment as do the diaries in which are noted present impressions.
Usually the writer of a diary has only an imperfect knowledge of the
subject to which the entries relate. If he is himself an actor in
passing events he makes and leaves a record colored and perhaps tainted
by the personal and political passions of the times. The teachings of
experience and that more moderate view of events, which we sometimes
call philosophy and sometimes the wisdom of age, may warrant the
student and the historian in giving credence to mere recollections.
The writer of a diary takes little note of the importance of the events
to which the entries relate. Persons and events become important or
cease to be important by the progress of time, but the life of an
individual is an adequate period usually for the formation of a
judgment. I cannot assume that it will be my fortune to make a wise
selection in all cases. Important events may be omitted, insignificant
circumstances may be recorded.
I assume that my family and friends will take an interest in matters
that are purely personal: therefore I shall record many incidents and
events that do not concern the public.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH
_PRELIMINARY NOTE
In the presence of some misgivings as to the propriety of my course, I
have decided to print the article on my Life as a Lawyer, as it appears
in the "Memoirs of the Judiciary and the Bar of New England" (for
January, 1901), published by the Century Memorial Publishing Company,
Boston, Mass.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25